Through the project, Telenor aims to lay emphasis on transforming the lives of individuals through mobile technology in areas where the company operates. Through this initiative, Telenor has reached out to housewives and women from low income groups to open retail stores and become micro-entrepreneurs. The company is operating five such stores led by women entrepreneurs across UP East and will add more stores under Project Vistaar in the coming months.
Talking about the initiative, KC Narendran, Circle Business Head - UP East, Telenor India said, “As a responsible operator Telenor believes in diversity and inclusive growth. Vistaar is another endeavor to provide requisite skills and training to these young people and make them financially independent. This economic empowerment will go a long way in paving the way for development in rural and backward areas of UP East. We are happy to contribute and be part of this journey.”
As part of the project over 25 men and women from underprivileged sections have been trained and are working at Telenor stores as ‘Saathi’ customer relationship executives. Telenor is not only providing employment opportunities to them but also imparting training on retail skills, legal rights, mobile data and Internet settings, and safe internet practices.
Meenu Tyagi from Sabla, an NGO that is working with Telenor for Vistaar, said, “This is giving us an opportunity to learn and develop new means of livelihood and sustenance. The men and women from varied backgrounds who are attached to Vistaar are getting a unique identity in the society with the help of Telenor.” Meenu Tyagi also runs one of the five all women Telenor Retail store in Rae Bareli.
